Top East Orange, NJ Vandalism Lawyers Near You
Former New Jersey Prosecutors Defending Your Rights. Call Today!
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Experienced, Aggressive, Criminal Defense including DUIs in all New Jersey Courts. 24 HOUR AVAILABILITY.
Free Consultation
481 Bloomfield Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104
Other Nearby Offices
Need representation for your Vandalism issues? Aiello Harris Abate Law Group, PC offers local assistance in East Orange, New Jersey.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
21 Main Street, Suite 200W, Hackensack, NJ 07601
For legal issues concerning Vandalism, let Sutnick & Sutnick, LLC, a local practice in East Orange, New Jersey, help you find a solution.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
470 Grant Ave, Oradell, NJ 07649
Clients needing legal solutions for Vandalism can connect with Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi, a local New Jersey practice.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
142 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Other Nearby Offices
In East Orange, New Jersey area, Weisberg & Klauber, LLC can help clients with their Vandalism needs.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
501 Grand Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
If you need Vandalism help in New Jersey, contact Law Ofiice of Prosper A. Bellzia, a local practice in East Orange, for legal representation.
Free Consultation
600 Valley Rd, Suite 205, Wayne, NJ 07470
The Law Office of Robert J. Cascone helps East Orange clients with their Vandalism needs.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
6 Pompton Ave, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
703 Richmond Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
60 Washington Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
157 Engle St, Englewood, NJ 07631
70 S Orange Avenue, Suite 150, Livingston, NJ 07039-4914
685 Van Houten Ave, Clifton, NJ 07013
378 Summit Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306
96 Newark Pompton Turnpike, PO Box 360, Little Falls, NJ 07424
1 Pelican Drive, Suite 6 - Second Floor, Bayville, NJ 08721
7 Giralda Farms, Madison, NJ 07940
51 John F. Kennedy Parkway, First Floor West, Short Hills, NJ 07078
1037 Raymond Blvd, Suite 900, Newark, NJ 07102
28 Valley Road, Suite 1, Montclair, NJ 07042
50 Park Place, Suite 1101, Newark, NJ 07102
100 East Hanover Avenue, Suite 201, Cedar Knolls, NJ 07927
301 Route 17 N, Suite 211, Rutherford, NJ 07070
1037 Raymond Blvd., 6th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102
87 South St, Freehold, NJ 07728
80 Court Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
East Orange Vandalism Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Vandalism attorneys in East Orange and checks their standing with New Jersey bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
State Required Disclosure: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
What Is Considered a Vandalism Crime?
Vandalism is a crime where the perpetrator willfully and intentionally defaces or damages someone else’s personal property. Some common examples of acts of vandalism are egging a person’s house, destruction of property, using spray paint or another form of paint to scrawl messages or artwork on unapproved properties, breaking windows belonging to storefronts or other property belonging to another person and even arson.
While arson is considered its own criminal offense, it also falls under the definition of an act of vandalism.
What Is the Difference Between Graffiti and Vandalism?
There is a debate as to whether graffiti — sometimes referred to as street art — is considered a form of public expression or a form of vandalism. Regardless, the use of spray paint or other paint on unapproved surfaces (even if they are publicly owned walls attached to common buildings) is generally considered a criminal offense or an act of vandalism.
Most graffiti cannot be compared to high-end art, and typically may involve simple tags or etching, sometimes containing vulgarities. Despite the ongoing debate between advocates of street art (many of whom are more supportive of public spaces designed for graffiti, rather than unwanted and illegal vandalism) and proponents of reducing public graffiti in unapproved spaces, those who engage in the practice without approval are subject to prosecution under vandalism laws in most jurisdictions.
Is Vandalism a Felony?
The crime of vandalism can be prosecuted either as a felony offense or misdemeanor in most jurisdictions and is most commonly charged at the state level — although there are federal statutes that could lead to federal vandalism charges if the defacement involves significant damage to public property. Federal law covers both the definition for federal vandalism as well as the punishment for those who perpetrate such offenses.
At the state level, whether or not a charge of vandalism is considered to be a misdemeanor or a felony typically boils down to the cost of remediating the property damage done by the vandal. In some states, damage costing less than $1,000 to remediate will likely result in a misdemeanor charge. However, should the cost of fixing the damage cost more than $1,000 or if the vandalism disrupted business or public communication, you could face a felony vandalism charge. Repeat offenders, even if prior offenses were classified as misdemeanors, could also face felony charges as a result, even if damages amount to less than $1,000.
Some states use a threshold of $500 in damages rather than $1,000, and automatically escalate damage caused to a vehicle to a felony charge, regardless of the actual damages done.
What Are Some Possible Penalties if Convicted of Vandalism Charges?
If you are charged at the federal level, vandalism can result in imprisonment for a period ranging between one (if the damage does not exceed $1,000 in costs) and 10 years (if the damage exceeds $1,000 in costs). If there is complete destruction of vital infrastructure, or if a person is killed during the commission of the crime, the penalty can increase to 20 years jail time.
At the state level, punishments vary, but a broad range can be established. If you are found guilty of misdemeanor vandalism, most states give a maximum penalty of around one year in county jail. For those convicted of felony vandalism, penalties typically hover around three to five years of incarceration as a maximum penalty.
Can a Lawyer Help With Vandalism Charges in New Jersey?
If you are facing charges related to vandalism, it is important to secure proper legal representation as soon as possible. A conviction in response to vandalism charges, misdemeanor or felony, could result in a permanent criminal record, a steep fine and time in jail or prison.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you negotiate the charges against you and attorney-client privilege allows you to discuss all material evidence and strategy with your lawyer in privacy and in detail. Attorneys familiar with vandalism case law, standing precedent and the nature of the prosecution’s argument against you will be more likely to represent your best interests in a court of law and may be able to negotiate with the prosecution to avoid a trial entirely.